Sports
Mizzou vs Utah St: History of 7 seeds vs 10 seeds in the NCAA Tourney – Rock M Nation
Filed under:
For the first time in a while, the Missouri Tigers are in the NCAA Tournament and actually not in the 8/9 game. Let’s take a look at how No. 7 seeds have fared in the first round.
The Missouri Tigers are officially NCAA Tournament bound, clinching a spot in The Big Dance for the third time in the last six seasons, earning a No. 7 seed in the South Region against No. 10 seed Utah State Thursday in Sacramento, California.
An overall record of 24-9 with six Quadrant 1 wins and an unblemished record in Quadrants 2-4 was just enough for Mizzou to avoid the dreaded 8/9 seed line, snapping a streak of their last three NCAA Tournament appearances being one of those two seeds.
As Mizzou clinched NCAA Tournament “lock” status in the final week of the regular season, their next order of business was to avoid that dangerous 8/9 line, and they ultimately did so with their win over Tennessee in the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals. A “monkey off their back” indeed.
But what’s the difference between being a No. 7 seed and on the 8/9 line, you ask?
In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, history tells us that seven seeds have had a sizeable advantage against 10 seeds — which is to be expected, but the difference that matchup and the 8/9 game is pretty substantial.
Note: These stats are according to graphics on CBS Sports’ Eye on College Basketball Podcast
While seven seeds historically have the majority of success, 7 vs 10 games are still considered tossups — especially this one. Utah State isn’t your normal No. 10 seed, as the Aggies come in at No. 18 on KenPom’s rankings. They are by far the best KenPom-rated 10th seed with USC at 36, Penn State at 39, and Boise State at 31 — making Missouri the only (slight) underdog 7 seed.
No doubt, Utah State will provide a tough matchup for Mizzou, but for a team that has wins over No. 4 seed Tennessee (twice), No. 6 Kentucky, No. 6 Iowa State, No. 8 Arkansas, No. 9 Illinois and No. 11 Mississippi State — the Tigers arguably present the best resume amongst seven seeds.
This will be Mizzou’s 29th NCAA Tournament appearance in the program’s history and it’s the first time the Tigers have ever been a No. 7 seed, according to college basketball’s sports reference page. Ironically, Missouri’s last NCAA Tournament win in 2010 just so happened to be in the 7/10 game as the No. 10 seed over Clemson 86-78.
Expectations-wise, it has already been a good season for this Mizzou Basketball team in year one under head coach Dennis Gates — but getting their first NCAA Tournament win since 2010 can make it a really good one. For the first time in a while, the Tigers find themselves in a relatively good seeding position to do so.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY), (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or visit OPGR.org (OR) or www.1800gambler.net (WV).
21+ (18+ KY/NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/KY/LA(select parishes)/MA/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Licensee partner Golden Nugget Lake Charles (LA).
